Computer controlled vending system

ABSTRACT

A central computer controls remote vending machines through long distance communication lines wherein the vending machine, in response to instructions from the computer, prints and issues valuable documents such as entertainment tickets, lottery tickets, race tickets and the like. The computer acts as a memory storage for keeping inventory and accounts. In a second embodiment an attendant sales terminal may be used with a split platen printer wherein a single mechanism provides two sets of information, the first set being the answer to inquiries and the second set the desired output.

United States Patent [151 3,688,276

Quinn Aug. 29, 1972 [54] COMPUTER CONTROLLED VENDING 3,335,407 8/1967Lange et a1. ..340/l72.5 SYSTEM 2,883,106 4/ 1959 Cornwell etal.....340/ 172.5 X 3,184,714 5/1965 Brown, Jr. et a1. ..340/149 [72]Inventor Jack New 3,252,149 5/1966 Weida et a] ..340/172.5 {73]Assignee: Ticket Reservation Systems, Inc., 3,308,439 3/1967 Tink et al...340ll72.5 New York, NY. 3,533,084 10/1970 Cook et a1. "340/1725 [22]Filed: July 1970 Primary Examiner-Harvey E. Springbom 21 Appl, 5 ,214Attorney-Seidel and Gonda Related 1.1.8. Application Data [57 ABSTRACT[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 679,835, Nov. 1, A central computercontrols remote vending machines 1967, abandoned. through long distancecommunication lines wherein the vending machine, in response toinstructions from [52] us. Cl ..340/172.5 th mput r, prints and issu salua le d cum nts [51] lnt.Cl ..G06f 11/70, G06f 3/12 c a entertainmenttickets, lottery tickets, race 58 Field 61 Search .340/1725, 152, 153,149; tickets and the e 1 computer acts as a memory 149/016 1, DIG 8storage for keepmg inventory and accounts. In a second embodiment anattendant sales terminal may [56] References Cited be used with a splitplaten printer wherein a single mechanism provides two sets ofinformation, the first UNITED STATES PATENTS set being the answer toinquiries and the second set 2,668,009 2/1954 Schmidt ..340/153 x thedeslred Output 3,505,646 4/1970 Affel, Jr. et a] ..340/172.5 6 Claims, 2Drawing Figures COMPU TE R 04 714 PHON lNPUT- OUTPUT PETE/Ill TICKETTELE Y PIP/N TER COMPUTER CONTROLLED VENDING SYSTEM This application isa continuation of application Ser. No. 679,835, filed 11/1/67, and whichis now abandoned.

This invention relates to a computer controlled vending system. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a computer controlled system forvending valuable documents and maintaining an inventory and accountingof the same.

There are many instances where valuable printed documents having similarbut variable printed script are sold. Among these is the sale of ticketsof all types which may be defined as a slip of paper containing acertificate that the person to whom it is issued, or the holder, isentitled to some right or privilege therein mentioned or described;such, for example, are railroad and airline tickets, theater tickets,lottery tickets, tickets to sports events, racing tickets, and the like.Tickets of this nature as issued by a particular enterprise are normallysimilar in the sense that they contain basic units of information suchas the name of the theater or the like, but they also differ in thesense that the dates, seats and performances may alter from ticket toticket. The issuance of such tickets at the present time normallycomprises a rudimentary division and distribution of preprinted ticketsto various sales centers. For example, theater and other entertainmenttickets may be sold not only where the event is to take place, but alsoat various sales centers located in department stores, hotel lobbies andticket agencies.

The difficulties inherent in such a system of distributing tickets areobvious. First, all of the tickets for every event must be printed inadvance regardless of whether all of them will be sold or not.Calculated guesses must be made as to how many tickets will be sold atany particular sales center and what type of tickets will be most indemand. The tickets must be physically distributed to the sales centerand then physically returned in the event that they are not sold priorto the performance. In the event that a miscalculation takes place andone sales center sells out, there is no means for informing that salescenter that others have tickets available, other than time-consumingtelephone calls. Accounting for the sales is delayed so that there is noreal indication as to the number and dollar value of the tickets soldfor several hours which may in some instances be too late to provide therequired information.

There has in recent years been some attempt to overcome these defects,particularly where the need for instantaneous information is acute.These newer systems have been developed for use by railroads, airlines,car rental agencies, and hotels in making reservations. Such systemsusually include a computer acting as a memory bank and a plurality ofremote devices tied into the computer by a communication systems. Theremote devices permit an attendant to make inquiry of the computerconcerning availability of space or other information which is relayedback to him. In each instance, however, the remote station is attendedand the attendant must issue the ticket, confirmation or another scriptby filling out a form after receiving the answer to his inquiry.

The present invention is a further improvement upon past and existingmethods of distributing tickets and other forms of variable script inthat it provides a centralized computer controlling remote variablescript vending machine over communication systems where the consumer canmake a selection, the computer will instruct the consumer whether itsselection is available or another selection must be made. If available,the computer will instruct the consumer on how much currency must beinserted into the vending machine. The computer will recognize thecorrect currency inserted (coins, bills or combination of both), and ifcorrect, the computer will instruct the vending machine to follow itsadditional instructions to print out a ticket or other form of script.The variables controlled by the computer in printing out the ticket orscript may be date, time, selection, consecutive number, seat number,performance, location or any of the other variables that go into makingup tickets such as described above. It should be pointed out that it isthe purpose of this invention to provide a system for printing outactive script, that is the actual ticket to be used by the purchaser.This is in contradistinction to the printing of a paper which is merelygood for exchange, although this latter concept is included within theinvention.

The second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of theexisting space reservation system described above. The second embodimentof the invention includes the features of the first embodiment with theexception of the currency accepting feature and therefore must beattended by an operator who accepts money in exchange for the printedticket. A further feature of the second embodiment is that it includes asingle printing apparatus with a split platen. In this way the firstplaten can be used as a message journal to answer inquiries and thesecond platen used to print out the ticket once the decision has beenmade.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in thedrawings fonns which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the venting machine, communicationsystem and computer making up the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a sales terminal, communication systemand computer making up the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, there is shown in FIG. I a computer controlled vendingsystem designated generally as 10. As shown, the system includes acentral computer 12 which has a mass memory and a complete system fordoing data retrieval. The computer may be any one of a number of wellknown types of computers which are capable of being programmed tomaintain an inventory of available seats, purchase receipts, moniesreceived. Such computers are well known and usually include inputdevices, a control element or section, a storage or memory, anarithmetic element, and an output device. One such computer which may beused in accordance with the present invention is manufactured by ControlData Corporation and sold as the 160A Computer. This computer isavailable from this corporation and its function and operation are wellknown to those skilled in the art.

The computer is shown with a number of input-output devices 14a, 14b andwhich in actual practice would be a single device with a number ofchannels.

The input-output devices 14 are connected by a communication system,preferably a telephone communication system, to a remote vendingterminal designated generally as 16. At present only input-output device14a is shown connected to a terminal 16. Input-output devices 14b and14c would also be connected to such terminals. But since the terminalsare all identical, only one such device is shown in detail. Theinput-output devices 14 include encode and decode logic circuitry forconverting the computer output into electronic pulses suitable fortransmission of telephone communication systems. Such input-outputdevices 14 are well known for use in connection with teletype equipmentand are available from the Teletype Corporation. One such device isknown as the Dataphone and is connected at the remote end of thecommunication system as part of the terminal 16. The dataphone 18 isshown as a separate piece of equipment in FIG. 1 but in fact it would bemounted within the chassis of the terminal 16.

The vending terminal 16 is mounted in a chassis of which only the frontpanel is illustrated. The entire terminal is shown within a dotted lineso that certain elements such as the printer can be illustrated althoughthe printer would not normally be observable to the user. The use of aterminal 16 will be described in conjunction with a reference to itsvarious elements.

The customer desiring to purchase a ticket approaches the machine andobserves the event push buttons 20 which each may be individually markedwith the event that is available through the use of the vending machine16.

By way of example, the buttons may be marked New York Yankees, New YorkJets, Metropolitan Opera, and the names of many reserve seat theatricalevents, assuming the machine is selling tickets for places located inNew York City. Of course, it is not necessary that the machine be in NewYork City or that it be limited to sell tickets for events in only onecity. Thus, a machine located in Philadelphia could sell tickets forreserved seat events in that city as well as New York.

By depressing the event button 20, the user automatically presets thevending terminal 16 and causes a card or an image thereof to bepresented in the window 22. The card or image presented in the window 22contains a layout of the seating arrangement at the place of the event.It may also contain additional information which should be related tothe customer such as the location of the theater, stadium or the like.Most importantly, the card or image states the key number for the placeand instructs the customer to push that particular key or keys 24 asdesignated by the name Place. For example, Shea Stadium in New Yorkcould be designated in the system by the keys F-5. Thus, the customerwould depress those particular keys.

Having selected the event and keyed the machine into the place, thecustomer next depresses keys 26 which sets the machine for theparticular date desired. Next, the customer selects the type of seats bydepressing one of the keys 28. The particular type of key to depress isobtained by viewing the seating layout on the image shown in window 22.It has been determined that most customers for events are not concernedabout the particular seat which they get but only about the price andthe area in which the seat is located. These areas are delineated on thecard or image shown in window 22 and keyed to the particular key 28. Ifdesired, special requirement key 28 may also be provided such as forpersons desiring to sit on the aisle only.

To complete the first sequence of operations for the vending machineterminal 16, the customer depresses one of the keys 30 which selects aparticular performance if there is more than one performance on the dateselected. Finally, the customer depresses a key 32 which tells themachine how many seats are desired. At this point the machine is readyto be operated. Each of the keys 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 is in reality aswitch connected to appropriate circuitry for making the selection asdescribed above. If desired, the keys 20 for selecting the event canalso be used to simultaneously present the card or image in window 22 aswell as select the place, thus eliminating the necessity for keys 24.

When the selection operation has been completed as described above, thecustomer pushes button 34 which causes the teletype printer 36 to sendthe information registered on the keys 24-32. During this operation, theteletype printer does not print, but only sends. The output of theteletype printer 36 is transmitted through dataphone 18 to input-outputdevice 14a and into computer 12. Computer 12 scans memory and determineswhether or not the particular selection is available, not available, orif the entire performance is sold out. This information is transmittedback to the vending terminal 16 and indicated to the customer orilluminating one of the lights 38, 40 and 42. Light 40 indicates thatthe entire performance is sold out. Light 42 indicates that theparticular seating selection is not available and that the customershould make another selection.

lf light 38 is illuminated, this indicates to the customer that hisselection is available. To complete the transaction, the customerdeposits in coin the amount of money necessary to make the purchase. Theamount is shown automatically in window 44. In the present embodiment ofthe invention, it is intended that the amount of purchase be made incoin. Accordingly, the number of quarters necessary to complete thepurchase is shown in window 46. These quarters may be obtained byproviding appropriate change making machines adjacent the vendingmachine. As each quarter is placed in the coin deposit slot 48 andaccepted by the machine, the counter visible through window 46 increasesone unit until it reaches zero. Although the present invention isdescribed in connection with a vending machine capable of accepting coinonly, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that it can bemodified to accept paper money using the optical scanning devices nowavailable on the open market.

As soon as the machine indicates that the correct amount of coin hasbeen deposited, this is signaled to the computer 12 which then performsthe accounting operations by debiting the inventory of seats availablefor that particular day and the event and also registering the amount ofmoney received. Simultaneously, the computer transmits and instructs theprinter for teletype 36 to print out a ticket. The printer follows theseinstructions and delivers the thus printed ticket or tickets through theslot 50. The teletype system and teletype printer used and described inthis invention are well known and available. One such teletype machineis the Model TT35 manufactured by Teletype Corporation.

The foregoing describes how one vending terminal 16 may operate. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that a multiplicity of vendingterminals may be used at any number of remote places and all tied into acentral computer. The advantages of such a system in solving theproblems outlined above should be obvious. Moreover, those skilled inthe art will readily recognize that the vending terminal is not limitedto the sale of reserve seat tickets. lt may, if desired, be modified tosell lottery or racing tickets. in the case of lottery, the purchaserwould select the desired number, the computer would scan its memory todetermine whether or not this number has already been purchased andindicate the result to the prospective customer. The customer would theneither make the purchase or another selection as required. The machinecan also be modified for use in off-track betting by selling racetickets up to the time of the race. ln this system, the computer couldbe used to compute the odds and also control the tote board at theparticular race track.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a second em bodiment of thepresent invention. Since this embodiment includes a number of devicesthat are the same as those described in conjunction with the embodimentillustrated in HQ 1, identity will be identified by using the same butprimed number.

As shown, the system includes a computer 12' having a number ofinput-output devices 14a, 14b and 140' all connected through acommunication systems, such as a telephone system, to remote salesterminals 60. Only one such sales terminal is shown since the rest aresimilar.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is similar tothat of FIG. 1 except that the sales terminals 60 must be operated by anattendant who accepts the money for the tickets and gives change.

As shown, sales terminals 60 include a keyboard 62 which may consist ofa plurality of rows of push buttons having functions similar to thatdescribed and shown in conjunction with the keys 24-32 in FIG. 1. Sincethis sales terminal 60 is to be attended, a key lock which will enable"on" and off may be provided. Also a clear" button to release data inthe event of error can be provided. Furthermore, the lights 38, 40 and42 would be replaced with inquiry, buy and buy alternate buttons whichfunction in a manner to be described below.

In general, the keyboard for the sales terminals 60 would include aplurality of buttons for selecting the event in accordance with apredetermined code, buttons for selecting the date, and still otherbuttons for selecting the seat area, number of seats, and specialrequirements. The operation of these buttons should be obvious from theforegoing description of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

The aforementioned inquiry, buy and buy alternate buttons are tied intothe self-contained Teletype Corporation Model TT35AU output writermechanism which performs both the inquiry and ticket printing function.The sales terminals 60 also include appropriate encode/decode logiccircuitry for the teletypewriter.

In accordance with the present invention, the typewriter is modified toprovide a dual printing function by utilizing sprocket-fed plain paperon one side of a split platen for inquiry typing and special preprintedheavy stock ticket form paper on the other side of the split platen.Only after initiation of the buy" function is the ticketsprocket-advanced and printed. The advantages of such a split platenshould be apparent from the operation of the system. The US. Pat. toSherman, No. 2,047,233, shows such a feature.

it is assumed that a customer has approached the attendant at aparticular sales terminal with an inquiry concerning the purchase of aspecified number of tickets for a designated event and date. Theattendant thereafter prepares the system for inquiry by depressing therequired event," date," "seat type" and numbers of seats push buttons.Thereafter, the attendant depresses the inquiry button which causes theteletype system 64 and dataphone 18' to transmit to the computer 12'.The computer searches its memory and responds by indicating whethertickets corresponding to the inquiry are available. If the event is soldout, an appropriate not available signal will be retransmitted and lightan appropriate signal light. If seats are available for the performance,but not in the selected section, the computer will print out analternative selection on the inquiry tape 66. In a like manner, the factthat the tickets are available is printed out on the inquiry tape. Ifthe selected tickets are available, the customer will pay for them andthe attendant will press a buy" push button on the keyboard. Thissignals the computer to instruct the teletype printer to print out thetickets. if, on the other hand, the original selection is not availablebut the customer is willing to accept the machined selected alternative,he makes his payment and the attendant presses a buy alternative pushbutton on the keyboard and the machine selected alternative tickets areprinted out by printer 64 on the ticket 68.

By appropriate use of a proper keyboard for the system illustrated ineither FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, it will be possible for a customer to buy aticket for a performance up to one year in advance of the date of theinquiry. Moreover, properly selected push buttons enable identificationof any one of up to 100,000 specific events. The number of seat types tobe made available to the customer is unlimited.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that applicant has invented acomputer controlled vending system which accepts money and issuesvariable script on a real time basis through consumer operated vendingmachines.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

lclaim:

l. A computer controlled vending system, comprising: a computer having amemory storage for maintaining an inventory of items; a plurality ofvending terminals remote from said computer; a communication system fortransferring information between said computer and each of said remotevending terminals; said computer including means for controlling saidremote vending terminals; said remote terminals including keyboard meansfor selecting one of a varied number of items and means to indicate theavailability of said selected item; said remote terminal includingstructural means for accepting payment for said item, means forascertaining when said payment has been satisfied, and means responsiveto instructions from said computer to print out and dispense a documentcorresponding to the selected item when said payment ascertaining meanshas been satisfied.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote terminal is avending machine which includes means responsive to instructions from thecomputer for indicating the amount of money that must be inserted.

3. A computer controlled vending system, comprising: a computer having amemory storage and control for maintaining an inventory of availableitems; communication means for transferring information between saidmemory storage and a plurality of sales terminals, each of said salesterminals being remote from said computer, each of said sales terminalsincluding a keyboard control device for sending information to saidmemory storage and a printer responsive to information from saidcomputer for relating information to an attendant at said terminal, saidprinter including a first means for printing preliminary information oninquiry, and a second means for printing a document corresponding to anitem sought to be purchased.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said system is a ticketreservation system and said memory includes an inventory of availableseats at a plurality of events, said printer being adapted to printtickets for said events.

5. A computer controlled vending system according to claim 3 includingmeans to accept payment for the purchase of the desired item and todetect when payment is satisfied, said manually operable purchase meansbeing operable only upon detection of the satisfaction of said payment.

6. A computer controlled vending system according to claim 3 wherein theavailable items are divided by events, and wherein said terminalincludes means to manually select the event of interest, and meansresponsive to selection of a particular event for displaying thelocation of accommodations associated with the selected event to providea visual indication thereof.

t I I 1 III

1. A computer controlled vending system, comprising: a computer having amemory storage for maintaining an inventory of items; a plurality ofvending terminals remote from said computer; a communication system fortransferring information between said computer and each of said remotevending terminals; said computer including means for controlling saidremote vending terminals; said remote terminals including keyboard meansfor selecting one of a varied number of items and means to indicate theavailability of said selected item; said remote terminal includingstructural means for accepting payment for said item, means forascertaining when said payment has been satisfied, and means responsiveto instructions from said computer to print out and dispense a documentcorresponding to the selected item when said payment ascertaining meanshas been satisfied.
 2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidremote terminal is a vending machine which includes means responsive toinstructions from the computer for indicating the amount of money thatmust be inserted.
 3. A computer controlled vending system, comprising: acomputer having a memory storage and control for maintaining aninventory of available items; communication means for transferringinformation between said memory storage and a plurality of salesterminals, each of said sales terminals being remote from said computer,each of said sales terminals including a keyboard control device forsending information to said memory storage and a printer responsive toinformation from said computer for relating information to an attendantat said terminal, said printer including a first means for printingpreliminary information on inquiry, and a second means for printing adocument corresponding to an item sought to be purchased.
 4. A system inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said system is a ticket reservationsystem and said memory includes an inventory of available seats at aplurality of events, said printer being adapted to print tickets forsaid events.
 5. A computer controlled vending system according to claim3 including means to accept payment for the purchase of the desired itemand to detect when payment is satisfied, said manually operable purchasemeans being operable only upon detection of the satisfaction of saidpayment.
 6. A computer controlled vending system according to claim 3wherein the available items are divided by events, and wherein saidterminal includes means to manually select the event of interesT, andmeans responsive to selection of a particular event for displaying thelocation of accommodations associated with the selected event to providea visual indication thereof.